Robby is gettin' old!

To continue with the birthday theme... Robby had a Birthday too! On May 3rd he turned 29 years old. (30 is creeping ever closer!)

 We needed new birthday decor, so after seeing this cute "pennant banner" idea on a friend's facebook, I decided to make one for us! Robby's birthday was the perfect excuse!

That day the boys and I surprised Robby at work with balloons and lunch! (it hinted to his coworkers too that it was his b-day) We went to a nearby park and ate and played for an hour. Fun!

The kids helped me make a cake for Robby, carrot cake... his favorite! (wanna know a trick? lazy lady's carrot cake = 2 c. shredded carrot added to a spice cake mix. viola!) with cream cheese frosting!

I decided to carry on the pennant  theme.

Robby requested his favorite... KFC... for dinner! It was delicious!

Then cake!

You could feel the heat!

We sang, then ready, set...

BLOW! (of course Timothy helped!)

Robby decided that we should "camp" as a family for his birthday.

 Kind of a trial run for this weekend (the Father's and Sons campout)

Eeek! Only one match left. (that's all he ever needs anyway!)

Our "blue tent" in the backyard!

Spencer helping with the fire.

My Handsome Birthday Boy!

My 3 cute boys!

I was there too...

It wouldn't be camping with out campfire songs.

He is always so good to let the boys help him play!

We eventually got to sleep that night. It took a while for the boys to fall asleep... too exciting. Then Robby and I didn't sleep very well. It was cold, the air mattress was too firm, the boys weren't the most peaceful sleepers, I'm pregnant... but we did it! Now Robby is both more nervous and more excited about this weekend (by himself).

Saturday we went out (our awesome nephew offered to babysit). We went and saw Iron Man 3 at the theater (something we hardly ever do) and even enjoyed a jumbo popcorn! Then while we were at the mall we stopped into JCP and got Robby his Christmas present (new white Sunday shirts)... yes I said Christmas.

It was a wonderful day and I hope Robby felt our love for him.

I love you Robby, SO MUCH! Thanks for being born so we could celebrate you!

I Had a Birthday!

My 27th birthday was on April 11. 

The greatness of it really started the day before because I got to go to Book Club and spend some time with the girls. Meanwhile at home Robby and the boys were whipping up an amazing chocolate cake and making cute birthday cards!

 My first prego shot... 24 weeks on my 27th b-day.

During the day I made chocolate frosting from scratch (a first for me) to put on my cake! And SPRINKLES! yum!

That night I requested that we eat out for dinner. We enjoyed a delicious meal at Applebees. The boys were even really well behaved.

After stuffing ourselves, we came home for the cake! (Notice how part is already eaten... yes, once it was frosted I had to test it out and then share with the boys).

 All 27 candles! (it took 4 matches to light them all)

My wonderful husband and kids sang to me... 

Then, BLOW!

Timothy helped me get the one I missed.

 After cake was presents! Thank You (Robby, boys, mom & dad, and mom & dad Evans)!

 Happy Birthday to me!

Thanks Robby and Timothy and Spencer for making my day so Special!

The fun continued that weekend by making a trip up to Idaho to visit family. Robby's mom was there to help with Kathy's new baby and so we were lucky enough to get to spend time with them. And the Griffin girls and mom made me a cake, too! Yummy Spice cake with browned butter frosting. Thanks!

My one request for my birthday was a DATE! Since our weekend was spent visiting family, Robby took me out the next weekend. (I got to celebrate for a whole week and more!) We went on a long overdue trip to the Temple and enjoyed lunch at a favorite Italian restaurant. Then Robby bought be a cute Sun Hat to protect me from sunburn while I garden this summer! (picture to come later)

It was an awesome birthday and I am so blessed to have such wonderful family!

Timothy's Birthday!

Timothy's 4th Birthday was Mach 24th.

My first born turned 4. I still can't believe that.
Timothy is growing up so fast and just gets smarter and funnier everyday.
He helped with all parts of his cake. He helped mix the cake and lick the beaters and spatula. (we made this before church so it would cool in time to frost it after). Then he helped beat the frosting together... and lick the beaters and spatula. Then he went to town with the sprinkles. Boy, it sure tasted GOOD!

 I made him a birthday crown which he loved!

 I also got him balloons the night before and had them in the living room when he woke up. He was so excited to see them that he came running into our room yelling, "mom, dad, come and see!" Then he sang the birthday song to himself. By the end of the day... even by the time we had dinner that night, those balloons were done.

Things about Timothy at age 4-
Favorite Color: Red (and sometimes orange too)
Favorite Food: Broccoli (most of the time)
Favorite Song: Horsie, Horsie
Loves to: Tell stories, sing songs, make up new games, go to preschool, ride his bike, play computer games.
Doesn't love to: Wear socks and shoes, be told what to do (like going potty... especially if it means leaving his current activity)
Timothy is a big helper (especially vacuuming), good friend to his brother (usually), very independent (except the days when he can't do anything by himself), and smart. He is very good at counting (can go to 30... but he always skips 15) and is getting better at letter recognition. He knows his name and can spot it from anywhere, and is improving on writing it.

We love you Timothy!

Sugar and Spice...

... and Everything Nice! That's what little girls are made of!

And that's what OUR BABY GIRL is made of!
We are SO excited to be having a girl!
Ultrasound picture to come at a later time.

Exercise!

So, as I've mentioned before, I occasionally do kickboxing!

Timothy has started to get into it with me! He is so funny to watch, but he is getting really good at following directions. He has even be known recognize when I slack and to tell me, "Mom, you are not listening. You need to do what Ilene says." HaHa!

Here is a cute little video of him doing the ab workout! I especially love the last bit (pointing fingers and all!).

You may need to turn up the volume to hear the music! Enjoy!

Girl in a Whirl

Last Saturday I attended a Women's Conference for our Stake. We had break-out classes which I really enjoyed! I went to a herb gardening/cooking mini-class, and to an emotional health mini-class. In the emotional health class, the teacher shared this poem. I think it is hilarious, but sometimes too true to what we as LDS women and moms expect of ourselves. Sometimes we need to just slow down, do what really needs to be done, and leave the rest for another time in our lives. After all, we all want to live! Enjoy! (read Dr. Suess style!)

The Girl in a Whirl         by ‘Dr. Sue’ (a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)  
         Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
         You could do what I do
         If you only knew how.
         I study the scriptures one hour each day;
         I bake,
         I upholster,
         I scrub,
         and I pray.
         I always keep all the commandments completely;
         I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
         I help in their classrooms!
         I sew all they wear!
         I drive them to practice!
         I cut all their hair!
         I memorize names of the General Authorities;
         I focus on things to be done by priorities.
         I play the piano!
         I bless with my talents!
         My toilets all sparkle!
         My checkbooks all balance!
         Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
         I attend all my meetings (on time!  Never late!)
  
         I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
  
         But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all .
         I track my bad habits ’til each is abolished;
         Our t-shirts are ironed!
         My toenails are polished!
         Our family home evenings are always delightful;
         The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
         I do genealogy faithfully, too.
         It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
         I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
         I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
         I read to my children!
         I help all my neighbors!
         I bless the community, too, with my labors.
         I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
         My visiting teaching is done the first day!
         (I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
         It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
         I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
         I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.
         I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
         But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all .
         I write in my journal!
         I sing in the choir!
         Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.
         My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
         My kids get straight A’s!
         And their bedrooms are clean!
         I have a home business to help make some money;
         I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
         I go to the temple at least once a week;
         I change the car’s tires!
         I fix the sink’s leak!
  
         I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
         I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
         I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;
         My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
         These things are not hard;
         ’tis good if you do them;
         You can if you try!
         Just set goals and pursue them!
         It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
         If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!
         It’s easy!” she said
        and then she dropped dead.

Just things.

Sometimes life sends you rough days.
Sometimes you have no logical reason for why that day is tough.
It just is.
It is hard to feel like that.
Yesterday was one of those days.
I'm glad it's over.
I'm glad I have a hubby who loves me and supports me.
I'm glad that once I get the ball rolling, it is easier to keep going.
That is all.
--
Now for happy things.
This is pretty much the BEST sandwich ever.
I think that 60% of my lunches in the past 2 months have been this.

Homemade bread- toasted.
Little bit of light mayo.
Tomatoes. S&P.
Cheese.
Cucumbers. S&P.
Spinach.
YUM!








Reminds me of Summer.
--
Now for annoying things.
Deer.
This herd really likes our yard.
Eating trees.
Taking naps.

We now throw snowballs at them to make them leave.

We want fruit this summer.

If they eat all the buds, we won't get any.

I'll be mad.

Robby said the other day, "There is a reason for 'deer season'. They are pests."

Apparently the Mapleton Deer know how to hide.

So snowballs it is.

--

Procrastination can be evil.

Laundry IS evil.

I got busy and did my laundry.

Folded it, too.

Didn't put it away immediately.

I learned my lesson.

Two year olds don't understand folded laundry.

Grr.

I had to refold it all.

Then I put it away immediately.

--

Kids are cute.

When they sleep.

Love him.

The End.